I Found Buried Treasure!!
I returned yesterday from my week's stay in Missouri and Illinois. What a wonderful time had by all. The first three days were spent in Concordia, Missouri at a family reunion on my mom's side. We had so many great experiences but a highlight was going to the home where my Grandpa Kiehl grew up and walking (okay, stumbing) through the home. I said stumbling because the house is vacant and has been completely abandoned. There was so much clutter and junk inside the home that it was almost impossible to walk. Plus some wild little creatures are living in the home and the smell was almost more than I could take. But--I was determined walk through with some of my other family members and it was amazing what we found.
First of all, Becky (my sister) found these old photos of my great grandparents. They were on the floor under so much clutter that it's a miracle they were found. We also uncovered an old organ my grandfather used to play and an old ice cream maker that my great grandmother used to hand crank along with lots of other neat stuff. By the end, I'd forgotten about the horrible smell and the mice running around the place (not really--I'm scared to death of mice!). But really, the spirit of that great home and what happened within its walls really was touching. Seven beautiful children were raised there--one being the grandfather I've never known--August Otto Kiehl.
Later that day, we visited the owner of the home (my mom's first cousin) and begged her to let us go through the house and preserve the treasures. She was reluctant (more embarrassed about the state of the home) but I think we found a soft spot inside her! Hopefully within the next few months, my sisters Angela and Becky, will fly to Alma, Missouri and go through the home. I can hardly wait to see what they find!
I had tons of other neat experiences. I'll share more later. Hope you had a safe and fun 4th of July. We let off what seemed like thousands of fireworks. Especially fun for the guys!
Talk to you soon!
Lisa
33 Comments:
I like finding old things too. Especially when it has to do with your family. The last latest find, and I still need to scrap it of course, was a picture of my grandmother when she was young (possibly mid-twenties). I have never, ever seen a young picture of my grandmother. It was neat to see her picture because it was of her in China (possibly Vietnam) and I didn't think it was possible to take pictures during her time. The sad part was, my dad brought home this picture after the her funeral.
Wow Lisa, that is so great. How cool is it to find thosee pictures and they look like they are in geat shape. Got my cookbook I love it. Thanks your the greatest.
daurene turpin
Hi Lisa
Wow!! How cool is that! To be able to go through a home that your relatives lived in and see some of their things and even find pictures and other things from the past!! What an awesome experience!!
Glad to hear you enjoyed your reunion and the 4th of July!!!
Can't wait to see you on QVC this week!!
Cindy
Wow- that is truly amazing that the portraits still survived. I'm glad your cousin agreed to let you go through the house. It's important to preserve those lovely family treasures! Keep us posted when you go back!
Lee W.
WOW! Talk about a treasure that is absolutely PRICELESS! WOW! Keep us all posted on what else is found! How amazing!
Where were you in Illinois? I'm in Illinois!
Have a GREAT week!
Carol
Hey Lisa-
So amazing to find those wonderful things. That must have been a wonderful home back when it was filled with the soul of a family.
Glad you had a great trip, and it was fun meeting you up at Far West! We are heading to Nauvoo tomorrow where my Great-great-great-grandmother's home is still across the street from the temple. I just love learning more and more about the people who came before.
Annie
those portraits are fantastic! Good job on hunting through the stuff.
Wow! That sounds like a great experience, and SO AWESOME you found those pictures and other treasures! Priceless.
Hi Lisa....So glad you had such a great time. It is so nice to reconnect with family. We are have a reunion/party on Saturday for my Dad's 70th bday. I have an album of pictures of him when he was a little boy with his brothers and sister. He was one of 8 kids. It is so nice for my children and cousins children to see their grandparents as children. There are only 2 of the 8 children still living, my dad being the oldest, so it is a very poignant gathering we are having. All of my 17 cousings are actually making it and most of their children will be there. Hope to get lots of pics to scrap for the families. Pictures take on so much meaning as time goes by. They are sometimes the only connection we have to the past.
Thanks for sharing your memories!!
Kathy
psychomom0565@aol.com
Wow! What treasures. You may not beleive this I have picutres just like that, same pose and style of clothing from my past generations, the only difference they were African-American. You know there really isn't much differnce within the American family. What a wonderful melting pot God created.
Congrats Lisa on the great family find! I just love discovering things from my ancestors! You are all so lucky!
How exciting to find those pictures!
--Donna
What a cool experience. It will be so fun to see what your sisters are able to find and preserve.
Wow what a treasured find. I also was lucky enough to get copies of old photos of my great great grandparents. It is so neat to look at the photos and see parts of myself in them. It's really lucky that those photos weren't destroyed by moisture or by creatures! Be sure and pass on copies to all you think would like them. Copies of these photos would also make great gifts to pass to anyone in your family who has a new baby.
Wow! how cool...like a little personal time capsule! :) Hopefully before they knock it down or something you can save some of the 'wood' (you - or someone- could make picture frames or something for everyone - what a treat :)
How wonderful !! I just can't believe how awesome that is!! Those pictures are beautiful. I can't wait to hear what else is found.
:) ~Amy, Oxford, MI
I hope you got to keep those wonderful portraits. What a find!
That is incredible - I would love to stumble across interesting things like that!! I am an antique lover!
What a treasure, so glad you found those before they were ruined!
Sounds like you had a wonderful family experience. It is great those pictures were in such great shape, at least they looked like it in the picture. Hope you find a lot of family history and treasures.
I remember doing that in my Great Grandmother's house. It is so neat to see where she lived and raised her children. And I agree about the treasures. Let us know what they find and preserve.
What a find! You can nickname the house, "The Treasure House". Those pictures and frames are absolutely beautiful. Also to see some "everyday" items. I can see your album now--"Life in the Good Ole' Days"
Ann
Congrats to finding your family treasures. That's Super!
Can't wait to see what else you find!!!
TFS this with all of us. Super cool when you can find great family finds. Especially the photos/prints. How wonderful is that? and Perfect because your the ultimate scrapbooking gal and will know just what to do with those treasures.
OH my goodness.. those photos are GORGEOUS!!! Oh what a buried treasure.. and how neat to be able to dig through your family history... you're so blessed.. I don't have anything from members of my family in the past.. everything is gone.. How NEAT for you!!
Lisa,
Looks like your having a wonderful summer, I always love following up with your blog because you have such a genuine love for life, family, and friends. I think everyone learns something everytime on how to enjoy our little moments or special treasures, and especially the family moments god has givin you a gift for sharing. I also am very jealous of your trip to Lake Powell, its one of the most beautiful places in the world. When I went It was 9-11 also my husbands b-day, and there wasn't anything flying over the lake the whole time. It was hard to enjoy such a beautiful place when I knew people were having such a hard time, I've always wanted to go back! I love you bunches Lisa see you on TV.
Liz
Lisa,
I just want to ask if its possible to get the last book of the all about me album I never got mine and I ordered 3 kits. Are they ever coming back in stock. QVC says they are all gone! It's only some abou me.
Bonjour!!!
It's very impressive!
happy you found such treasures!!!
it's so great!
bonne journée!!!
PROLIX
{ThE fReNcH tOuCh}
http://prolix.typepad.fr
Dragon Flaire DT Member
Hi Lisa
So nice to see that you are enjoying your summer to the fullest...good for you in finding those treasured pictures. It is so interesting to see old pictures of your ancestors. How exciting!
P.S. Do you have any suggestions on how I would become a contract worker for your magazine? I am interested in writing articles on the "how to" of scrapbooking. I have been reading Creating Keepsakes for years and I noticed that you don't have a consistent "how to" girl. Whether it be "how to" with new products, tools, paper, etc. I'm sure there is a process to becoming an intern or contract worker. If you could shed some light onto that for me, I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thanks Lisa!!! LOVE YOUR BLOG!!
Hi Lisa
It sounds like you are enjoying your summer to the fullest! It's so nice to hear that you found pictures of your ancestors, how exciting! My family and I also have some old pictures of our ancestors too...I LOVED to scrapbook those pictures!!
P.S. I was wondering if you could offer me some information on how I would become a contract worker for Creating Keepsakes magazine. I have been reading the magazine for years and I noticed that you don't have a consistent "how to" column, (a "how to" girl). I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be a contract worker for your magazine! I would like to write a column on the "how to" of scrapbooking, whether it be new tools, new products, new paper, etc., or even new "how to" ideas for existing tools, products, paper, etc. I know that the magazine is going through some changes right now and I thought that would be a GREAT addition to the magazine.
I'm sure there is a process in becoming a contract worker, other than a comment on your blog. But I figured what better way to ask, than to ask the queen of scrapbooking herself. If you could offer some suggestions on how I could get my foot in the door, I would GREATLY appreciate it. You can contact me at lvolzie@yahoo.com. Thanks Lisa and have a great week!!
How cool to uncover such great heir-looms.. :) Worth the trip back to rescue more I think :) as you don't find things like this everyday!!!
hugz Lucy xx
Lisa, you are so lucky to have found such treasures! My family is from Cuba and we can't go back to visit our family landmarks and treasures. We barely have enough pictures to look back on our history. Enjoy and cherish the legacy you and your sisters have uncovered.
All the Best, Mica Suarez, Miami FL
Lisa-I was surprised to hear that you are from Missouri. I live in Richmond, Mo about 30 miles from Concordia and Alma. Yes I know where that is-believe it or not. I have been so excited about CKC in Kansas City again this year, but I am disappointed that you are not going to be there. I understand you are busy. Are you going to be appearing at any events close to the KC area in the future?
Lisa, I met you last year when you were in Marshall, MO....I am glad you had a fun trip home again this summer! Alma is such a short way from here... there is a delapidated home on hwy 20 between Marshall and Alma...Whenever I go by it on my way into the city (KC) I think about the good times that a family must have had there back 'in the day!' I love 'treasure hunting' too!
Post a Comment
<< Home